THE position of hereditary peers is ludicrous and indefensible and they should be swept away, Burnley MP Peter Pike told trades unionists.
He said he strongly supported the reform of the House of Lords and a decision should be made on how members of an upper house should be elected or appointed to replace those there by birthright.
He told Burnley Trades Council: "Those peers are accountable to no-one and their position is ludicrous and indefensible in 1999."
The Labour MP said he was also opposed to closer working relationships with the Liberal Democrats and against any system of proportional representation, favouring keeping the first-past-the-post method of electing MPs.
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